Paying it Forward

Acts of Kindness – Paying It Forward

As much as it hurts our hearts and make us uncomfortable, homelessness is an issue that is on the rise and cannot be ignored. Some try to avoid eye contact and pretend that the problem doesn't affect you, but you never know what someone is truly going through. You'd never know that the person in the cubicle next to yours is living out of their car or that your daughter's best friend, who is in the second grade, lives in a homeless shelter.

Homeless shelters have seen an increase of over 2.2 percent from 2019 to 2020 alone. The impact Covid-19 has had on families have made shelters even more essential. It's gut wrenching to think that there are people - especially children - going through this, but it fills me with joy and a sense of purpose, however slight, to know that there is something that can be done and that I can make a difference. 

I try to find, and partner with, companies that leave a good human imprint in the world. Companies that see a need or an injustice and make actionable decisions where you can see a difference being made. Brands that try to serve not just their paying clients but do their best to make an impact on those less fortunate.

One such company is Bombas, a brand formed by Randy Goldberg and David Heath in 2013. The company was created because Randy and David discovered that socks were the most requested items by people in homeless shelters. When they realized how desperately needed the socks were, they started a company that donates one pair for every pair purchased. 

After hearing that underwear and t-shirts were the next most requested items, they added those to their catalog in 2019. As with their socks, for every t-shirt or underwear you buy, one is donated to either a homeless shelter or to a homeless charity. As of 2021, they've donated over 50 million items to those who need it the most. 

I love this company and what they stand for. They sell stylish items that appeal to a variety of people while making a difference that you can see. You can shop knowing that you are helping someone less fortunate one underwear at a time.

At The Spark Joy Box, we are passionate about paying it forward. We donate a portion of each subscription purchased to a deserving local non-profit. We want to promote businesses that are not only creating amazing products but also doing good for others. It's about collaboration, not competition; we are all in this together.